(a) Insert clause 1352.233-71, GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests, in all DOC solicitations, except those for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

(b) Only Procurement Counsel shall communicate with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Court of Federal Claims and the Department of Justice regarding applicable protests. Procurement Counsel shall be responsible for preparation and submission of the agency report to the GAO and litigation reports to the Department of Justice.

(c) The designee authorized to authorize, on a nondelegable basis, the award of a contract when the agency has received notice from the GAO of a preaward protest filed directly with the GAO is set forth in CAM 1301.70.

(d) The designee authorized to authorize, on a nondelegable basis, contract performance notwithstanding protest after award is set forth in CAM 1301.70.

(e) The designee authorized to report and explain the reasons why the agency has not fully implement GAO recommendations with respect to a protest is set forth in CAM 1301.70.